Students to take part in national event

Randolph teens to observe Above the Influence Day on Thursday

October 15, 2012

Students from Randolph County will take part in a national Above the Influence Day event Thursday in Elkins.

West Virginia was selected as one of three spots in the nation to be featured during the event, and teens from Randolph, Taylor and Harrison counties will be part of a panel discussion at 3 p.m. on the campus of Davis & Elkins College in Eshleman Science Center's Room 400.

The discussion will be led by Greg Puckett, executive director of Community Connections, Inc. The local participants will be integrated into the national event hosted by White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske at the Newseum in Washington.

The Randolph County America's Promise Coalition has partnered with the Above the Influence campaign during National Substance Abuse Prevention Month to celebrate the power of youth living "above the influence" of negative pressures, especially drugs and alcohol.

Randolph County Family Resource Network Director Rebecca Vance said she hopes residents and the youth of the area will attend this event and help celebrate children.

More information about Randolph County America's Promise Coalition is available at www.rcfrn.org. Information about the Above the Influence campaign is available at abovetheinfluence.com.